Most of Western and Northern Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 8 PM meaning conditions are favorable for the development of a tornado. the National Weather service recommendations say: review your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room and be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. The watch extends from East Texas through 29 parishes and into Central Mississippi and Southern Arkansas.

A recall effort is underway to remove St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape, who officially took office today after it was revealed he was charged with six counts of child sexual assault in New Mexico but was never tried on a technicality. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says there will be a gathering at the state capitol this afternoon.

Cut 6  (09) “…that office.” 

The House Transportation Committee approves legislation to do away with the requirement for Louisiana drivers to have an up to date inspection sticker on their vehicle. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says getting the sticker is an inconvenience, an unnecessary expense and does nothing to keep our roads safer…

Cut 9 (09) “…into a fine.” 

One state lawmaker said the fine for an expired inspection sticker can be as much as 250-dollars.

Democrat Henry Whitehorn, who won by a single vote margin in November, has been elected as Caddo Parish first African American Sheriff. Political Analyst Scott Hughes points out the unity and commitment from Democrats and the African American community to place Whitehorn into leadership.

Cut 4 (10) “…128 boxes.” 

Whitehorn will be sworn in this summer.

A recall effort is underway to remove St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape, who took office today. Tape was accused of sexually assaulting his girlfriend’s 7-year-old daughter in New Mexico but was never tried due to a technicality. After Dr. Chuck Preston retired, Tate ran unopposed before the charges came to light. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says if the recall effort is successful in removing Tape from office there will be a thorough vetting process for his replacement.

Cut 8 (07) “…is shocking.” 

Two deaths in Delhi are being called mysterious and Louisiana State Police have opened investigations after bodies were discovered on Park Street and Charter Street over the weekend. Authorities are awaiting autopsy reports.

The House Transportation Committee approves legislation to eliminate the need for drivers to have a vehicle inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The LSU Lady Tigers are heading to the Sweet 16 after beating Middle Tennessee 83 to 56. LSU trailed by nine points early in the second half before they got it going. Coach Kim Mulkey was asked if an anticipated Washington Post story on her distracted the team

Cut 12 (05) “…absolutely not” 

A weekend bar fight at Freds near LSU led to the death of a Westwego man.  The fight happened just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday. 26-year-old Devin Michael Repath, in town for a bachelor party, was initially taken from the scene by ambulance in critical condition. Investigators are reviewing video from several cameras. Baton Rouge Police spokesman Lt. L’Jean McKneely said the investigation is still in its early stages.

Democrat Henry Whitehorn has made history by becoming the first black man elected as Caddo Parish Sheriff after a closely contested second runoff election. The former head of State Police secured 53 percent of the vote on Saturday, after winning by one vote over Republican opponent John Nickelson in November. Political Analyst Scott Hughes…

Cut 3 (11) “…vote margin.”  

Now that the embattled St. Tammany Parish Coroner has been sworn-in there’s a recall effort to remove him. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The House Transportation Committee approves legislation to do away with the requirement for Louisiana drivers to have an up-to-date inspection sticker on their vehicle which would cost State Police and the Office of Motor Vehicles 14-million dollars a year.Hornbeck Representative Rodney Schamerhorn says there are several inspection stations that do not take it seriously, so why require it…

Cut 11 (09) “…they’re not.”

The measure will now head to House Appropriations for more discussion.

Democrat Henry Whitehorn has made history by becoming the first black man elected as Caddo Parish Sheriff after his contested second runoff election. Political analyst Scott Hughes…

Cut 5 (11)  “…Caddo Parish.”

Whitehorn will be sworn in on July 1st.

A recall effort begins today to remove St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape, after it was revealed, he was charged with six counts of child sexual assault in New Mexico but was never tried on a technicality. Senator Beth Mizell says Tape has also eliminated the sexual assault nurse program which also impacts Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes as well.

Cut 7 (07) “…nurse program.”  

Mizell says they couldn’t begin the recall until Tape was sworn in.

The LSU Lady Tigers are heading to the Sweet 16 after beating Middle Tennessee 83 to 56. Over the weekend Mulkey threatened legal action against the Washington Post over an anticipated article that she says is a hit piece.

Cut  14 (10) “…about me”

She says reporter Kent Babb has not been transparent in his intentions and it’s this type of journalism that makes the public no longer trust the media.

House Transportation approves a bill to do away with the required inspection stickers on vehicles. State Police Captain Bryan Lee opposes the bill and says law enforcement can’t tell if a vehicle’s tires are worn, which is something that can be spotted during a vehicle inspection. He says bald tires are a safety threat…

Cut 10 (07) “…bad tires. “

Democrat Henry Whitehorn, who won by a single vote margin in November, has been elected as Caddo Parish first African American Sheriff. Political Analyst Scott Hughes points out the unity and commitment from Democrats and the African American community to place Whitehorn into leadership.

Cut 4 (10) “…128 boxes.” 

Whitehorn secured 53 percent of the vote against his opponent Republican John Nickelson. Whitehorn who won by a one vote margin in November, will be sworn in this summer.

A recall effort is underway to remove St. Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Christopher Tape, who officially took office today after it was revealed he was charged with six counts of child sexual assault in New Mexico but was never tried on a technicality. Franklin Senator Beth Mizell says there will be a gathering at the state capitol this afternoon.

Cut 6  (09) “…that office.” 

The LSU women’s basketball team defeated Middle Tennessee Raider’s in a final score of 83-56 Sunday and advance to the Sweet 16 for the second straight year. Angel Reese stepped up her game in the second half and scored 14 points. Coach Kim Mulkey says in the second half they picked up the pace offensively and played with more effort…

Cut 19 (17) “…third and fourth quarter”  

LSU will play the winner of tonight’s game between UCLA and Creighton in the Sweet 16 on Saturday.

The House Transportation Committee approves legislation to do away with the requirement for Louisiana drivers to get an inspection sticker. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley told lawmakers there is no reason for the sticker…
cut 9 (09) “….into a fine
Bagley says vehicles are built better and law enforcement officers can pull over a vehicle they believe is not safe. The measure heads to House Appropriations.

Democrat Henry Whitehorn has made history by becoming the first black man elected as Caddo Parish Sheriff. The former head of State Police secured 53 percent of the vote on Saturday, after winning by one vote over Republican opponent John Nickelson in November. Political Analyst Scott Hughes…
Cut 3 (11) “…vote margin.”
A second election was needed because the courts ruled there were several questionable votes counted in the November election.

A Merryville dog owner sought revenge by fatally shooting a dog after it allegedly attacked his dog. So, we asked Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt if it is legal to shoot another dog in another person’s yard if it attacked yours.
Cut 10 (13) “…to property.”
Authorities are conducting a criminal investigation into the shooting of the Labrador.

The LSU Lady Tigers are heading to the Sweet 16 after beating Middle Tennessee 83 to 56. A Washington Post article on LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey could be published this week. Mulkey says the same reporter previously did a hit job on football coach Brian Kelly and he’s spent the last two years trying to dig up dirt on her…
Cut 13 (11) “…positive stories”
Mulkey is promising a defamation lawsuit if the story contains any lies about here.

Legislation to ban the sale, possession, and use of the recreational inhale nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas passed the House Criminal Justice Committee in a unanimous vote. Nitrous oxide cartridges are packaged in attractive bright colors and sold in unlimited quantities without age limits. Concerned citizen, Samantha McCann testified before the committee…

Cut 6 (08) “…stop him.”

The bill heads to the full house for consideration.

LSU Health Shreveport Director of the Rehabilitation Science Program Dr. Cory Coehoorn (coo-horn) says they are joining forces Air Force Global Strike Command to study the physical and cognitive effects B-52 aircrew members go through during long deployments.

Cut 13 (08)  “…things like that.”

Coehoorn says this is a first and they are excited about the study. He anticipates the research project will take flight in the next six months.

A bill to end the state’s insurance crisis has been labeled as beneficial to the insurer, not the consumer. Jeanne Burns has Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple’s reaction…

Cut 2 (28)  “I’m Jeanne Burns.” 

Democrat Henry Whitehorn has been elected the first African American Sheriff of Caddo Parish. Whitehorn won with 53 percent of the votes beating his opponent Republican John Nickelson. A one vote margin by Whitehorn in November landed the election results in court after Nickelson demanded a recount. Whitehorn will be sworn in as sheriff on July 1^st.

The Criminal Justice Committee unanimously passed legislation to ban the sale, use, and possession of nitrous oxide statewide.  Bill author, Rep Joe Stagni (Stag Knee) says Nitrous oxide has become a highly addictive drug with devastating consequences.

Cut 4 (11) “…laughing matter.”

The party drug is sold at gas stations and smoke shops across the state.

Lawmakers are backing Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple’s package of bills to make the state more attractive to insurance companies. Temple says several of the bills focus on improving the state’s legal environment, which he says will bring more companies to the state and result in lower premiums…

 Cut 7 (10) “…litigate.”

High winds, hail and isolated tornadoes are possible as a cold front will sweep across the state today. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says the greatest risk for severe weather could be found in northeast Louisiana..

Cut 3 (12) “…weather wise”  

Keim says one to two inches could fall from this storm system with some areas seeing more than two inches.

LSU Health Shreveport is joining forces with the Air Force to study the physical and cognitive effects of lengthy flights on B-52 aircrew members. Director of the Rehabilitation Science Program Dr. Cory Coehoorn (coo-horn) says  once the three-year study is complete,  they’ll look at….

Cut 15 (08) “…mission objectives.”

Week three of the legislative session begins today and lawmakers are working on a package of bills that will result in fewer regulations for insurance companies. But Real Reform Louisiana’s Ben Riggs says the proposed legislation will take away consumer rights. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple pushes back by saying less regulation, means more companies writing policies and that should translate to lower premiums…
cut 9 (09) “…from that’

LSU Health Shreveport says it’s working on a study with the Air Force that will study the physiological and cognitive stress that B-52 Aircrews experience on long-duration deployments. Director of the Rehabilitation Science Program Doctor Cory Coehoorn says B-52 crewmembers can have in-flight missions of 30-plus hours…
cut 14 (11) “….of time
‘
While some other states have outlawed the sale of nitrous oxide paraphernalia, Louisiana may become the first to outlaw the substance with few exceptions. Colleen Crain has the story.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Today is the first day on the job for St. Tammany Parish coroner Doctor Christopher Tape. But state lawmakers on the Northshore are already calling for his removal from office because he was accused of sexual assault 20 years ago. Those charges were never brought to court. State legislators are also upset Tape cut the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program